Traveling with your CPAP....

[Irisinthegarden]

Hello everyone,
I'm leaving for a cruise this weekend and am bringing my CPAP with me. Should I pack it in my carry-on or checked luggage. I'm leaning towards the 'carry-on' because it is a prescribed machine.

Any seasoned travellers here that take it with them and if so, what nightmares, if any, have you encountered at customs/HomeLand Security?

Thanks in advance,
IrisInTheGarden

[rested gal]

I'd do "carry-on."

Be sure to take an extension cord with you.

I've had no difficulty at all going through security checks. Just have the machine already out of the bag, so they can swab the machine for explosive traces. They're used to seeing CPAP machines. No problem.

[Irisinthegarden]

That's Great! Thanks Rested Gal! I've been using the machine since 1/2-past December and can't imagine what life would be like on a vacation without my restful sleep!!

[rested gal]

You're going to have a great time on the cruise, Iris! (That's my state flower, btw )

Welcome to the forum!

[elader]

Hey rested girl,

I found that my lowenpro backpack made for camera gear and my laptop holds the respironics m series, mask, hose, power supply in the camera compartment and the computer behind it. It makes it easy to pop it out for the inspection and it stays safe and padded.

check it - http://products.lowepro.com/product/Fas ... 087,14.htm

[OutaSync]

You are going to love cruising with your CPAP. Finally some good sleep. Something about those big ships just rock you to sleep. You can call the cruiseline, customer service, and ask them to have some distilled water placed in your room for your CPAP. Holland America had two gallons waiting for me (charged me $4) and an extension cord. Celebrity had one gallon (no charge) and an extension cord. I brought my own extension cord and voltage protector, just in case.

Believe me Fourt Lauderdale and Miami airports have seen a whole lot of CPAPs coming through, and you will have no problem. But DO carry it on. You don't want anything to happen to your breathing machine!!

Have a great cruise!!

Bev (who can't wait for her next cruise)

[rested gal]

Thanks for that link, elader! Looks like a cool way to carry all the stuff.

[bearcatx16]

I don't use a laptop, so I have a Pelican 1450 case for my cpap & equipment. Have not had any problems with TSA and carry it with you.

Have fun, it's been a long time since I did a cruise. Lasted 3 months in the Caribbean.

Blessings

Fred

[RachelM]

My CPAP is expensive and I wouldn't trust it to checked luggage. I have traveled with it many times. I have noticed over the past several years that the security personnel have become more familiar with what a CPAP is and they are used to them coming through. Just in case, I keep a copy of CPAP prescription and a copy of the TSA medical equipment policy in a pocket inside the case. CPAP doesn't count as carry on so I come to the gate with carryon, large purse, plus CPAP bag and never had a problem.

I try to keep all the equipment as clean as possible. I don't even want to think about all the things that have been in the security line bins ahead of my CPAP. CPAP machine must come out of the case for security screening. To avoid the contaminants in the bins that go through screening, I enclosed the CPAP machine ahead of time in a two-gallon zip lock. After going through Xray, they did have to swab the CPAP. They respectfully honored my request to use clean gloves to handle the CPAP equipment for this.

[NeurosurgeryNP]

I, too, would never check it - have you seen how airport luggage handlers handle the lunngae? ALso - if you are cruising - the longshore men also are known to toss the bags around.

I have been on several cruises with my CPAP. MAke sure you bring a POWER STRIP in addition to the extension cord - it is vital - many cabins only have one outlet in the entire cabin living area. Makes it very hard if you want to plug in other items such as your camera battery. If you want to get distilled water from the curise line (many charge a nominal charge), make sure you arrange it prior to your sailing - at least a couple of weeks. It varies by cruise line who you call, but if you call the central agents of the cruise line, they can direct you where to go.

HAve a great cruise. We are leaving for our next cruise in 9 days - only a three nighter though this time to get us by until our next week long cruise in October.

[Debjax]

Ok, just to echo what others have said....NEVER check your CPAP. Luggage gets beat up, tore up and just plain goes missing.

It will not count against your carry on allowance, since it is necessary medical equipment, you'll still get your two carry ons plus the CPAP.

[Patrick A]

I'd do "carry-on."

Be sure to take an extension cord with you.

I've had no difficulty at all going through security checks. Just have the machine already out of the bag, so they can swab the machine for explosive traces. They're used to seeing CPAP machines. No problem.

I agree, I also carry my extra C-PAP Machine and an extra mask and hose and filters. With my luck even as a carry on it would get lost. I carry my extra machine so if I have a problem with the machine I at least have a back up.

I keep the first C-PAP in the closet here at home. My Remstar Pro2 in the RV and M-Series BiPap Auto is my everyday machine. I am really thinking about getting another M-Series also.

Each one of my machines have their own 12v dc. Cord. And a surge suppressor for each machine and a 15 ft. Extension cord. (a bit of over kill but you can never have enough extension cords!)

[araminta]

Thanks for the excellent suggestion of a Lowenpro 350 day pack.

I just went to my local photo supply shop here in the Bay Area and saw that model -- it's actually perfect:
lighter than other brands, yet really well padded. And lottsa room for CPAP stuff plus food etc.

[yardbird]

I just have a regular carry-on roller bag and then I put my CPAP into the respironics carry case. It's padded, has a shoulder strap, everything fits (including a spare mask) and it's real easy to pop the machine out for inspections... ("Excuse me.... fresh gloves please? It's medical equipment" .... "Sure, no problem")

Some places they've told me it's not necessary to take it out of the case. I've traveled around the US with it... taken it to St Lucia, Bahamas, never an issue.

[elader]

Thanks for the excellent suggestion of a Lowenpro 350 day pack.

I just went to my local photo supply shop here in the Bay Area and saw that model -- it's actually perfect:
lighter than other brands, yet really well padded. And lottsa room for CPAP stuff plus food etc.

Glad it looks right for you. I packed my cpap, hose, mask, power supply, laptop, power supply, bose headphones and ipod in there. The cpap fit like it's made for it. Its also a great travel bag for dSLR camera gear (body, lenses, flash, etc) and computer.